Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik have been named as the new hosts of "Jeopardy!," Sony said Wednesday, ending months of speculation about who would replace the late beloved host, Alex Trebek.
Richards, the current "Jeopardy!" executive producer, will host the long-running daily syndicated program. And, in a surprise move, actor Bialik will host prime-time and spinoff series of the franchise.
"We took this decision incredibly seriously," said Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global television studios and corporate development for Sony Pictures.
"A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show — deservedly so because it's 'Jeopardy!' and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek."
"Jeopardy!" has cycled through a number of guest hosts since Trebek died in November. The would-be permanent replacements for Trebek included Ken Jennings, an author with the longest winning streak in 'Jeopardy!' history, journalist Katie Couric, professional football star Aaron Rodgers, news anchor Anderson Cooper, CNBC financial journalist David Faber and actor LeVar Burton.
Richards, who signed a multiyear deal with Sony in 2019, is the executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune." He served as an executive producer of "The Price is Right" for 11 years and as an executive producer of "Let's Make a Deal." He has hosted several series including "Beauty and the Geek" and the 2012 revival of "The Pyramid."
Richards came under scrutiny when rumors first circulated last week that he could replace Trebek as the host of "Jeopardy!"
During his tenure as an executive producer of "The Price is Right," a discrimination lawsuit was filed by Brandi Cochran in 2010 against CBS and FremantleMedia. The suit claimed that the model was not invited back to the show after she took time off for her pregnancy. The case was ultimately settled, but Richards faced additional pregnancy discrimination claims beyond Cochran, which were not successful.
"These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show," Richards said in a memo to staff this week. "I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on 'The Price is Right.'"
Bialik, best known for her portrayal of Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS' "The Big Bang Theory," is an author, neuroscientist and executive producer and star of Fox's "Call Me Kat."
She will host "Jeopardy! National College Championship," an all-new tournament that pits 15 colleges against each other in two weeks of tense head-to-head competition.
Ahuja said a senior group of Sony Picture Television executives consulted multiple panels and focus groups to select Richards and Bialik.
"We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices," he said. "They were both at the top of our research and analysis."
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